What is a Monster? In class we all had different and similar views to what a monster is. In this article most of those views were explained. This article defines a monster to have certain qualities whether it is physically, mentally or just by behavior. I say behavior because it explains that a person can be a monster due to their actions that can cause harm. The example of the dentist who shot the lion; he was viewed as a monster because in the public’s eye he did a monstrous thing. The article also stated that monsters have distinctive looks. They don’t look “normal.” During various times, normalities took on different forms. Animals that didn’t have any limbs were considered monsters and even those who contained characteristics or multiple ideas were monsters. Some deformities were viewed as monstrous, even babies that were born deformed. According to this article monsters are considered to be beings that do not apply to the social norm. People who commit murder, animals that seem different, and other ideas that create fear are monstrous.
Many examples were applied to what a monster is however it caught my attention that animals that are part of the norm today were considered to be monsters such as walruses and armadillos. In paragraph six of the article it tells us that armadillos and walruses were brought into Europe as exotic beasts and made into monsters. It makes me think back to the drawings that we did in class. Some of those monsters had horns which look similar to a walrus tusks. Long, pointy objects can be intimidating and frightful so it makes me think that in some ways the Europeans associated those tusks to be somewhat monstrous because it created fear within. As I’ve mentioned some people saw animals as monsters because they had no limbs so this can be a reason as will. A walrus appears to not have any limbs and move around using their entire body. As for the armadillo, their shell makes them seem out of place and seem a bit frightening.
Questions:
- Dr. Palmer was considered a public “monster” for shooting Cecil the lion. According to the text what were these public “monsters” considered to be similar to?
- Why do you think that animal without limbs weren’t considered “normal” and were made to be monsters ?
- I agree that people who cause harm to others intentionally and brutally are considered to be monstrous. What’s your take on that ? and why?